Teagen's Favorite Things

Teagen is currently enjoying my fruit roll-up so much that he's literally giggling each time I start getting him another piece :).

I've been thinking lately that I wanted to post some of the fun things that Teagen loves - and since his first birthday is today - this seems like a perfect chance. Here is a list of Teag's favorites:

The Stairs - he hasn't fallen yet, but he spends a ridiculous percentage of his play time on the stairs. Luckily he seemed to figure out how to go down pretty close to when he learned how to go up them. That was a huge blessing.

Throwing Things - especially down the stairs. I love to pile things on the stairs and grab them when I go up. Teagen loves to watch all the different sizes and shapes tumble and bounce when he chucks them all down the stairs multiple times every day. When he isn't throwing things down the stairs, he's often throwing other things in other places.

Food - this kid never goes hungry - he makes sure of that. His favorite food is probably still milk. He breastfeeds constantly - but it's free, convenient, and it's chocolate - so we're not surprised :).

Words: "Mama" when he is grumpy or wants fed, and "Dada" when he's happy. And the rest of the time, just any noise - often an open yell of "Aahh". He is very vocal.

Hitting Things - He loves to pound on surfaces - especially if they make noise.

Big Things - He loves anything big, especially if he can move it. He also really likes walls. I can't tell you how excited and fascinated he was the first time he crawled a few steps up the stairs and looked up at the wall that goes all the way to the 2nd story ceiling. He just kept looking up and hitting that wall. So funny. He also often causes raucous at church because people will carry him to the back while I'm playing the piano, to help him not be a distraction. When they get him to the back, he can reach the wall - that just makes him more excited and more loud. He often cracks up laughing trying to touch the wall.

Pointing - He figured out pointing a while ago, and uses the skill regularly.

Music & Rhythm - he gets that beat rocking side to side in his hips and there's no stopping him - or his enthusiasm.

Biting - We have known he's been teething for a long time. He has 2 teeth on top, and 2 on bottom. Even before he was teething, his favorite thing to gnaw on has been skin. He doesn't really like any teething toys. So Dan and I both have just let him gnaw on our knuckles pretty freely. We didn't really think this was a problem until the first time he bit Elli! Now we are starting to realize we have a biter on our hands. We've never had a biter before. Elli currently has two big marks on her left cheek from another bite she received the other day. We'll have to work on that :).

Chewing on Socks - I know I've mentioned this before, and it probably sounds silly, but Teagen honestly does love chewing on socks. If there's anything he doesn't chuck down the stairs, it's probably a dirty sock, and it probably didn't go down the stairs because he probably stuck it in his mouth.

Playing Fetch With Himself - Teagen loves to throw things that make noise on the kitchen floor too. Once it finds its final resting place, he crawls there as fast as he can, picks it up, and throws it again. He will go around and around in the kitchen, doing this over and over. I love when a little one can keep themselves entertained sometimes :).

Throwing His Body Weight Around - He likes to move his body aggressively - and has almost launched himself out of my arms many times. He also bangs his head into things - like Dan :). Wrestling him in church can just about render your arms sore - I guess it pretty much is like lifting weights. He provides a lot of resistance :).

Being Happy - He is a really happy kid, as long as he's not uncomfortable or displeased. He cracks up at anything - honestly, it doesn't take much at all. He loves everyone he meets, and doesn't tend to have anxiety about being away from Mom & Dad.

He's a fun kid to be a Mom to, and we love him tons.

Happy First Birthday Teagen!!